SACRAMENTO: GUARDS: MARCUS THORNTON is the only one guaranteed a consistent role on the perimeter . . . ISAIAH THOMAS was the story of the second half for the Kings. He can fill up the box score, but at 5-foot-9 (at best) he's too much of a defensive liability and not a point guard . . . AARON BROOKS is the most talented guard on this team. He's had attitude problems in the past, but he could, and should, lead this team . . . Now that he remained in Sacto, TYREKE EVANS will be playing off the ball at the three against his wishes . . . The Kings will keep on trying to unload JOHN SALMONS, who's not a useful NBA player . . . JIMMER FREDETTE should have a role off the bench, but his ball-handling is not where it has to be for an NBA point guard . . . FRANCISCO GARCIA's chance seems to have passed him by. FORWARDS: THOMAS ROBINSON should emerge as a starter early in his rookie year. He has his flaws on both ends of the floor, but he brings energy and doesn't need a lot of touches to get his points . . . Even if Robinson knocks him to the bench, JASON THOMPSON should play the five at times and see close to starter's minutes . . . JAMES JOHNSON should also play big minutes soon considering his ability to make positive contributions without a lot of touches . . . CHUCK HAYES should continue to play second-unit minutes as a glue guy . . . TRAVIS OUTLAW has regressed to the point that he's lucky to have a roster spot . . . TYLER HONEYCUTT has an intriguing skill set as a defensive-minded point forward, but he's likely ticketed for the D-League again. CENTERS: DeMARCUS COUSINS came on strong late last season. There's no doubt he has All-Star potential, but between his awful shot selection and occasional attitude problems, he just hasn't lived up to his potential. After Team USA passed on him this summer because of reported maturity problems, he might still not get it.

TORONTO: GUARDS: KYLE LOWRY is healthy again and will be handed the reigns. He could be the Raptors best player on both ends of the floor . . . As of now, JOSE CALDERON is still on the roster, but he's not long for Toronto with Lowry's arrival. He won't start over Lowry, but he could see decent minutes as the Raptors attempt to showcase him . . . With Toronto's influx of new talent, DeMAR DeROZAN could be marginalized on the offensive end. He hasn't really progressed past the dunker/raw athlete stage of his career . . . Rookie TERRENCE ROSS can just about match DeRozan's athleticism, and while he has no handle, he's a potentially deadly three-point threat . . . JOHN LUCAS III will back up both guard spots . . . ALAN ANDERSON returns as a defensive stopper in the second unit. FORWARDS: ANDREA BARGNANI makes his triumphant return and will likely go back to the perimeter. The Raptors have beefed up in the middle so Bargnani can play outside more . . . LANDRY FIELDS plays enough defense to earn minutes, but it seems like his signing was more a result of Toronto playing cap games to try to land Steve Nash. He'll likely platoon with Terrence Ross . . . ED DAVIS made some strides this offseason, but he's still not where the Raptors want him to be on the offensive end . . . LINAS KLEIZA's knee should be in better shape this season. The Raptors want more shooting, and he has a chance to grab a bigger role . . . Toronto will do everything it can to get out from under AMIR JOHNSON's contract . . . DOMINIC McGUIRE figures to occupy the final seat on the Raptors bench. CENTERS: JONAS VALANCIUNAS would have been the No. 2 pick of the draft had he come out a year later. He's a wiry, strong athlete who's physical down low with soft touch out to 10 feet. Toronto sees him as a franchise cornerstone who meshes nicely with Bargnani . . . AARON GRAY should provide ample competition for the starting center job.